Whey Protien Powder

Are there any ingredients in whey protein powder that I need to look out for? I've been using Muscle Milk ready to drink after my hard workouts at the gym, but that gets expensive. I need protein in a form that my body can absorb quickly after my group training sessions so have been examining my options. I've read recommendations here for certain brands but they tend to be outside my current budget.

Trader Joe's sells two main whey protein powder products that are within my price range. One is their own whey protein (chocolate) and the other is Met-RX Protien Powder (link is to PDF file of the label/ingredients). General description here.

I think the Met-RX has the better profile, the second ingredient on the TJ brand is sugar... and the price on the Met-RX at Trader Joe's is good. I just wanted to check to see if there is anything in the Met-RX ingredients that I need to be concerned about.

Opinions?

One of the best recovery drinks is plain old chocolate milk.

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Originally Posted by tulip

One of the best recovery drinks is plain old chocolate milk.

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Yes, it is wonderful after a hard bike ride - but there are times I need more than that. I've tried other "flavors" of assorted protein powders over the years and I just can't abide the other flavors such as vanilla. I won't add it to anything, just want something quick I can shake up and consume between gym and work.

I don't know anything about the product (I've always just stuck to chocolate milk) but you might check for online deals. Amazon, for instance, sells it for far less than regular retail.

Try bodybuilding.com. They usually have some pretty good deals on high quality products.

I really like the price Trader Joe's charges for the Met-RX product, just unsure what comprises a quality product. So far all I can seem to find information on is how bad, or good, something tastes, though I will keep looking for information.

I buy AdvantEDGE , Carb Control, 17 g Protein, 2.5 g Net Carbs, 100 Cal - these come in a 4 pack(about $4-$5). I also have have Body Fortress Whey Protein Chocolate Peanut Butter in a 2# tub, 26 g Protein, 3 g Carbs, 130 Cal(for 1 scoop).

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Originally Posted by Catrin

I really like the price Trader Joe's charges for the Met-RX product, just unsure what comprises a quality product. So far all I can seem to find information on is how bad, or good, something tastes, though I will keep looking for information.

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1) The nutritional profile you need; and

2) Ingredients you are comfortable with.

It may be that no one has done the analysis you're looking for. I'd google each ingredient and see if you're comfortable ingesting that ingredient.

I use the Trader Joe's brand after my hard trainer sessions. The Met-RX has sucralose which makes me ill, so I'd never use it. I mix the TJ's with 1.5 cups 2 % milk and it's my first breakfast on trainer days. I can't eat before I workout at 5 AM. :D This set up gives me pretty much a 1:1 ratio of carbs to protein and I need the carbs before I head to work. I drink it in the car on the way home. It's in an insulated SS bottle, stays pretty cold with three ice cubes.

I have a second breakfast about an hour later. :D

The Met-RX when mixed with water has pretty close to a 1:5 carbs to protein ratio. I'd think about how is that going to fit in your day. Do you need more carbs at that point as well or just the protein hit.

Veronica

I've not used protein powder before so wasn't really sure how to best approach selecting one. Back when I started my weight loss journey 3 years ago I did use Myoplex for breakfast every day for a few months - but that was for another reason.

I am able to have breakfast before my 6am workout but I really need that protein hit afterwards. I will continue to do a bit of research, thanks for giving me some ideas of what to look for!

Ive had good luck with the Vitamin Shops house brand. It has sucralose in the flavored ones. Next time I'm just getting the plain one. My stomach is sensitive but this one works good for me.

The important part is that protein needs to come from whey - it is the most bioavailable protein that your body can absorb quickly. Cheaper brands get protein from soy.

Since someone posted the BB.com thing, please search that forum(ignore the pigs) for why muscle milk is a horrid product on many levels, besides the all out fat content the main concern of mine is arsenic.

Anyhow, I use NOW Whey Isolate. You aren't paying for flash advertising and it has absolutely NO fillers, just straight whey if you go unflavored(which I do but it comes choco & 'nilla). It's instantized so it mixes with a spoon, no grit. Use it in anything, however when adding to warm items go the 'cornstarch technique' but mixing with cool liquid then add it in.

Works really well in regular fruit juice and smoothies, all in all a nice base at about 105 cal, almost no fat, basically no sugar, think 5g carb if that, and 25g protein per scoop so budgeting recipes to get the desired macros isn't too much of a pain.

FWIW.

I'm not sure how much residue of rBGH remains in whey protein, but I'd be afraid to use any kind that wasn't organic.

I've found a couple of whey protein brands that don't have rBGH that are affordable. I don't want chia seeds, which knocks one off the list, and I think I want whey isolate over whey concentrate but I don't know enough about the science between the two to have a strong opinion - still reading on this one. It seems that everything has either soy lecithin or sunflower lecithin - I do want to avoid as much soy as I can.

Thanks for all of the comments, it is appreciated and they gave me some directions of things to look at. Hadn't considered having it prior to the workout - and it makes sense that would work as long as it had both quick and slower acting forms of protein.

Just curious what don't you like about chia seeds?

I've been eating way too many and if they're not good for me I need to know!

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Originally Posted by OakLeaf

Just curious what don't you like about chia seeds?

I've been eating way too many and if they're not good for me I need to know!

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I've been reading some research on different grains and some natural defenses they have against being digested and how these "defenses" can affect the body if they get past our digestive system and are absorbed by the body - and apparently this can happen for those of us with stomach issues. When I get home tonight I will try to find that information and send it to you via the messages. Chia seeds are considered a "pseudo-grain" of course and aren't a true grain, but they do share this feature.

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Originally Posted by OakLeaf

Just curious what don't you like about chia seeds?

I've been eating way too many and if they're not good for me I need to know!

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Don't you remember the Chia pets?

(sorry, I couldn't resist...)

What, am I going to break out in sprouts all over? :eek:

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Originally Posted by OakLeaf

What, am I going to break out in sprouts all over? :eek:

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I can see it now, "Oak the Chia Pet", the perfect gift for the cyclist who has everything!

/sorry...bad Catrin :)

:D Lol!

If you have a sensitive gut, you'll want to go for the whey isolate over the concentrate. Some concentrates can cause belly issues.